Russia Strengthens Hold At Grand Masters World Championships In Miami

Russia increased its dominance of brackets at the IJF Grand Masters Judo World Championships yesterday in Miami, claiming nine more gold medals in three age groups.

That brought Russia’s total to 22 gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze with Germany holding onto the second spot in the overall count of medals.

Sanctioned by the International Judo Federation and hosted by USA Judo, nearly 900 fighters from almost 50 nations converged on the luxurious Doral Gold Resort & Spa in Miami-Doral for this four-day elite competition among athletes ages 30+.

The action continues today with team competition and the open division.

Facing-off yesterday, on the third day of competition, were the age groups M2 (35-39 years), M4 (45-49) and the M5 (50-54 years). There are 100 competing in the M2, divisions, 128 in the M4 divisions, and 100 in the M5 divisions.

Russia dominated the brackets in the M2 division, the youngest group of the day, picking up four of the seven gold medals in these weight divisions. The Ukraine picked up two gold medals and Argentina claimed one. Fighting was intense among the 100 fighters across the seven weight divisions in this, the second youngest age group of the tournament.

Russia also took three gold medals in the M4 age group (45 to 49). Brazil, Kazakhstan and Italy each took one, as well.

Russia clawed through the brackets of the M5 division (50 – 54 years) again claiming the top spot on the podium in three of the weight classes. France, Italy, Mongolia and the Netherlands each took one of the other gold medals.

Host nation USA held onto its third-place spot in the international ranking, taking three silver medals and three bronze medals yesterday.